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JOHN DOERKSEN

January 3, 1922 - May 14, 2008

John Doerksen of Abbotsford, BC passed peacefully into the presence of his beloved Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 14, 2008. He was 86 years old.

John was born in the USSR, in the Caucasus town of Nikolayfeld, and came to Canada in the Mennonite migration of 1924. He grew up in Manitoba, helped support the family in a time when his father was ill, then married Myrtle and had 5 children (plus 14 foster babies). John always worked as an accountant, and took a CMA university course at night, winning a top award in the province. When their kids left home, he and Myrtle realized their youthful dream of going to the mission field. They first went to Ethiopia to work with SIM (Sudan Interior Mission) famine relief. When all foreigners were evacuated because of fighting, they worked with OM (Operation Mobilization) in Belgium and England, and then in Georgia (USA).

When John retired to Abbotsford, he joined the Abbotsford Male Chorus, and fulfilled his passion to sing bass. He also enjoyed praying for missions and the work of God around the world. John will be remembered by his family as a faithful husband, father, and grandfather. We will miss his prayers, his singing, his poetry, and his punny sense of humor.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Violet, four surviving children, Brenda (David) Johns, Arthur (Lyn) Doerksen, Donald (Kaisu) Doerksen, and Sandy (Paul) Kamill. He was predeceased by his wives Myrtle, and Evelyn, his son Brian (Bonita), and brothers Henry and Jake. He leaves 15 beloved grand- children (Clover, Forest, Heath, Fraser, Josh, Bethany, Daniel, Moss, Beck, Misty, Nicole, Sonja, Brieanne, Duncan and Lizzie) in Canada, the US and England. He also leaves his dear sisters Mary (Peter) Dyck and Jessie (Harry) Reimer, and brothers Dan (Nan), Victor (Marg), and Bernie (Lois) and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

A celebration of John's life is being held at Aldergrove Fellowship Baptist Church at 1:00 pm on May 22, 2008.



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